B3d - auto run on boot up - and not minimise!!?
Blitz3D Forums/Blitz3D Programming/B3d - auto run on boot up - and not minimise!!?
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| Hiya, Calling Windows gurus... I am just completing a project which needs to auto run on boot up and run in full screen mode which I have set the graphics3d mode for, but the game minimises just after it begins... anyone any bright ideas please? I need the game to auto boot from cold. We have tried a launch.cmd file with a \max switch, but this afternoon after a Windows update it failed to stay in fullscreen mode. Eventually running new nVidia drivers worked, but I can't help wonder if there is a more sure fire way of forcing this to happen everytime - and without fail?!!! Any Windows guru's out there who could code me a definate solution to this from within B3d, would be truly welcomed. IPete2. |
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| Knowing that you do kiosk-type apps, does the PC actually need to be useable as a Windows desktop as well? If not (and depending on the version of Windows you're using), you could look at replacing explorer.exe with your program (ie. backup explorer.exe and replace it with your renamed app). Alternatively, look at replacing the lower-level userinit.exe (which kicks off the whole desktop startup process) with your app's name in the Registry: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/regentry/12330.mspx?mfr=true This is of course a big modification to Windows and should only be tested on a machine you can easily fix/reinstall Windows on. NB. I've never tried these options, so don't know what effect they'll have on services, networking, etc. I had an app run full-screen on startup with Windows ME alongside explorer (years ago) and had no problems, so never had to go any further... Also, do you need Automatic Updates on this machine, or can it be done manually? (The obvious answer to the Windows Update thing is of course to disable it!) Finally (assuming it's not being used as a desktop), disable everything you can via Autoruns or the simpler Startup Control Panel. |
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| Have you tried something simple like this? Drop a shortcut to your blitz app in the startup section of the start menu. Once blitz executes, first delay about 30 seconds, then call the graphics command to switch to full screen mode? Might work without having to do anything advanced. |
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| Actually Pete, no matter which method you use I agree with Vertigo - do this as well. Windows will always need to run some tasks behind the scenes (as we all know, just being at the Desktop doesn't mean Windows has finished booting ;) so give it time to do that. |
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| put it in the startup folder. As simple as that. |
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| Or add the program to the registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run And it will always be executed when windows starts. From there, what the program does, it's your problem :) (but it shouldnt minimize with no reason...) |
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| James, Vertigo, John, _33 and Slotman - cheers for that lot... thanks for all the advice guys, very useful some of that thanks! Yes James great idea with explorer, we tried this but I think it failed due to an error on my part, I may try this again a little later, as it removes explore bar and all doesn't it?!!! That would make my clients happier too. Funnily the second PC seems to work okay!! Which stumped me a little, but the chap I was working with wrote a little registry entry and a cmd file to launch the app., but it kept saying "unable to set graphics mode"... which was strange as the monitor, desktop and app are all set to the same resolution, the monitor's naitive res, 1680 x 1050 at 32 bit. As I say the second PC worked okay today, so I shall be keeping an eye on the first PC as soon as I get to it on Thursday - I have made a small ammend to the start of the programme, and I may try that 30 second delay before the graphics command. That was somehting I toyed with in my head, but not actually tried. I would have to have two apps though, one to begin and one to continue after the first game...or else there would be a 30 second pause before the menu comes on again! Doh! I will keep you all posted this weekend with the results as the Kiosk is having its first outing this Friday! Gulp! Lol. IPete2. |
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| great idea with explorer, we tried this but I think it failed due to an error on my part How does it fail (and which version of Windows is it running on)? |
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| HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon key: shell = Explorer.exe change that to C:\program files\blitz3d\blitz3d.exe if you need to get out of it just Ctrl alt delete and click run process and type Explorer.exe and ok |
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| shell = Explorer.exe Ah, yes, that's better. |
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| James, We are currently running under both XP Home and Media Center (which is XP Pro I think underneath). It failed continually by complaining that it was unable to set graphics mode! We think we sorted this by re-installing the latest nVidia drivers and disconnecting the PC from the internet, so it could not update Windows again - i.e. replacing the nVidia drivers we just installed. Ice9 that looks like what the techie chap tried, I shall make a not and try it on the other pc tomorrow. I'm away until Saturday after tonight. It is our big launch conferenceon Friday - wish me luck... :) IPete2. |
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| Good Luck! |
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| Just forgot about something important about the startup forlder. Depening on wether the Windows is a French / English / German / ... language install, the startup folder might be named differently. Definately, the registry key is the way to go. |
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| Thanks guys, The launch was a complete success - after a few teething problems with the arcade analogue joystick and buttons I managed to get the kiosk working on Thursday night/Friday morning and it ran without a glitch all day Friday with dozens of complete novice player having a go. We managed to get it to boot up and down with auto start by the shortcut being in the startup folder. It runs in fullscreen and the ups powers it all down safely at the end of the day when you simply turn it off at the plug. Phew! I had to introduce it to a couple of Lords and Ministers - which was a lot easier this time (I have done this before with a Highways project I did a few years ago), as they were very receptive. Everyone seemed to like it very much and although some found it challenging to begin, once they had a couple of mnutes play, they got the hang of it and most got on the score board on their first attempt! IPete2. |
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| Sounds like an interesting project. Got any info pics about it? I couldn't tell which project this is from your site. :) |
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| Yeah sorry about that, it is because I am working under an agreed - fairly strict NDA. There are no images available publically yet, however in the very near future I shall place a couple of new shots on my portfolio page and there will be a private page I can direct people to go and find out a lot more about the project. I will also have a short page available soon with a couple of images on it which are agreed for general public release. I can tell you this much - it's the best peice of work I have done so far and if all goes well I should be able to put some video footage up for people to view too. I should also say a big thanks to Avon who coded the high score and the menu sections for me and John Blackledge for bouncing ideas and thoughts 'off', along with you guys for general good advice. :) IPete2. |
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| OK, cool. :) |
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| Aw <blushes>. As usual in this great community it works both ways. So glad it went well for you Pete. |
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